When to DIY vs When to Hire a Professional

The big question everyone wrestles with during a home renovation is this: Should I hire a professional or should I DIY?

Both are great options, however, there is always a better option for you if you just give yourself time to strategically think about it. Some people think they want to DIY because they watch all the fun shows on HGTV and think “if they can do it, so can I!”. While others want nothing to do with a DIY project but don’t realize potentially how expensive it can cost.

I love talking to people about this very question. It’s important to pay attention to these three things to help you figure out if you should hire a professional or commit to a DIY project:

Time: How much time do I have to give to this project right now?

Money: How much money do I have to give to this project right now?

Energy: How much energy do I have to give this project right now?

Let’s talk time–the most important currency of all. Do you have time to invest in a DIY project? C’mon, be honest! Say you want to redo your master bathroom, and the master bathroom is upstairs. You go to work all day and tell yourself “I’ll work on the bathroom after work. It’s a small room, it shouldn't take that long.” If you are going to do it after work, how many nights is that going to take you? And realistically will you have the energy to do it after work (more on this later)? It always seems like we have the time, but ultimately most people would rather prioritize other things (relaxation, spending time with kids or spouse, alone time, exercise, etc.) instead of working on something like this. 

Next is the question no one wants to answer. Do you have money to hire out? If you do, do it! If you don’t and the project does not need to be done right now, save, then hire out. A third option, maybe you do have the money to hire out, but you don’t want to spend the money because you personally can DIY for a lower price. Well then, I want you to factor in what your hourly wage is and project how much time it will take to do this project (remember it’ll always take longer than you expect), then add the price of materials. Is it still worth it for you to DIY?

An option to help you if you want to mix and match (hire and DIY) is to buy what you need as far as the design and inspiration and then hire someone to put it together. For example, maybe you decide to work on your closet. A hybrid of DIY and hiring someone can look like you buying a closet system through Amazon, Ikea, or Walmart and then you hire someone to put it together and install it. So instead of having a custom closet built that would be more time and money, you can find a system that you like and just hire someone to put it together and install it. You can have the best of both worlds. 

For my folks out there that think they want to demolish their home to save money … I encourage you to think twice. I have heard so many stories of people ruining something in this process, and it ends up costing a lot more to fix in the long run than if they just hired someone to begin with. 

Lastly, do you have the energy–the energy to learn, familiarize, and work on this project? The thing about DIY that is tough … If you're not familiar with different types of tools, woods, sheetrock, tape and texture, mudding, etc., The cost can actually go up quite a bit, and most people don't realize that. In the long run, you end up getting frustrated and spending a lot of energy learning or trying to find friends and family to borrow from. When you hire from the beginning, it may look expensive but they have ALL the tools, and they know ALL the tips and tricks to solve a problem.

DIY is a huge science experiment. It's a lot of trial and error. That is why professionals are professionals. Professionals can find quality and accessibility in prices and objects. Just because you’re hiring a professional doesn't mean your visions and dreams aren't going to come true, in fact it means they can come true!